Dr. Paul Rothenberg Discusses Gabriel Landeskog’s Cartilage Injury on TSN:
A Look at the Complexities of Cartilage Transplants
Introduction: Recently, I had the chance to join Campbell vs. Gallo on TSN 690 to discuss a challenging and often underestimated injury in sports medicine—cartilage damage. During the segment, we focused on Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, whose career has been impacted by a significant cartilage injury. For professional athletes, these types of injuries require specialized care and an extensive, sometimes uncertain recovery journey. In this post, I’ll dive deeper into the nature of cartilage injuries, why they’re so complex, and what recovery looks like.
Understanding Cartilage Injuries: Why Are They So Challenging?
Cartilage is a unique tissue in our joints, functioning as a smooth, cushioning surface that facilitates movement with minimal friction. Unlike muscles or tendons, cartilage has very limited blood supply, which is crucial for healing. When cartilage is damaged, it doesn’t have the same self-repair mechanisms as other tissues, so injuries can lead to long-lasting issues if not treated carefully.
For high-performance athletes like Landeskog, any damage to this essential cushioning tissue can significantly impact mobility, strength, and overall athletic performance. Because cartilage doesn’t regenerate well on its own, recovery often involves complex surgical interventions and long rehabilitation periods aimed at restoring joint function and strength.
The Specifics of Landeskog’s Injury and the Road to Recovery
Landeskog’s injury occurred during the 2020 playoff bubble when a skate blade sliced the bottom of his patella (kneecap), causing cartilage damage. This type of trauma is particularly tricky due to the cartilage’s poor regenerative ability and the high demand placed on the knees in professional hockey. As I shared on TSN, the nature of this injury means that Landeskog’s recovery isn’t just a matter of rest and physical therapy; it often involves surgical solutions, such as cartilage repair or even replacement, to restore functionality.
Over the past two years, Landeskog has undergone multiple knee surgeries, with the most recent being a cartilage transplant. This advanced procedure involves transplanting cartilage, either from a donor or grown from his own previously harvested cartilage. Unfortunately, Landeskog has recently faced a setback in his recovery, leaving the prognosis and likelihood of his return to professional hockey still uncertain.
Implications for Athletes: Why Cartilage Injuries Are Often Career-Defining
While cartilage transplants have been performed for over two decades and show high success rates for pain relief and return to sports, they remain relatively rare, especially in elite athletes. The long-term success rate of these surgeries in professional sports isn’t as well-documented as more common procedures, like ACL reconstructions. This makes it challenging to counsel athletes on their expected recovery outcomes confidently.
As we learn from Landeskog’s recovery and observe similar cases, such as that of NBA player Lonzo Ball, we’ll gather more data that may help us predict recovery timelines and success rates. For now, we continue to support Landeskog on his journey to recovery, hoping his case can offer valuable insights into the treatment of cartilage injuries in high-demand athletes.
Conclusion:
Being featured on TSN 690 to discuss Gabriel Landeskog’s case was a valuable opportunity to highlight the realities of cartilage injuries in professional athletes. Cartilage injuries are often misunderstood or underestimated, yet they demand a thoughtful, multi-disciplinary approach to recovery. By understanding the unique challenges of these injuries, both athletes and medical professionals can better navigate the journey back to peak performance.
For those interested in learning more, you can listen to the full interview here.
For more information on autologous chondrocyte implantation click here.